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Do you usually make your own dog food and feed them to your furry friends? If you have your dog’s approval and you think other canines could benefit from your product, it’s a good idea to create a dog food business. However, before you do make sure to not include any foods that could harm your dog. Restedpaws.co.uk has published some handy tips on what not to feed your dog.
In 2019, the sales of pet food and treats were a third of total pet products and services sales in the US. That is a total of $36.9 billion. Yes, you read that right. Many dog owners want their furry family members to have a well-balanced diet comprised of wholesome doggie vegetables and meat so their pups are strong and healthy. This trend is only expected to increase.
Whether you are a current dog food business owner or thinking about becoming one, make sure you have a full understanding of dog nutrition and health so you know what type of food is best for canines.
But first, here are 8 tips to fully maximize your business and sales.
Tip #1: What is your selling platform?
The first tip is to decide whether you will be selling your dog food online, at your local supermarket, or at your own physical retail store. We recommend selling online first to limit your spending. Some supermarkets may charge you a slotting or listing fee to keep an inventory of your dog food products in their store and charge you showing your dog product.
If you have an online store, decide whether you’ll be charging a delivery or shipping fee. Some business owners charge a standard fee while others increase the fee depending on where their customers live.
Tip #2: Location is key
If you decide to open a physical retail store, location is key. You’ve probably heard the phrase, Location, location, location and that is very true. We recommend finding a corner location for high visibility. Any pedestrian or driver should be able to quickly spot your store.
Having a good and convenient location for your store allows your brand and business to get as much exposure to the public as possible.
If there are pet product stores like Petco nearby, make sure your dog food store is at least 5 to 6 miles away from them. The reason for doing this is to limit your competition on dog food variety and cost.
Tip #3: Define your dog food and target customers
Many pet owners want to give their dogs the very best food that is healthy and organic. Make sure you educate yourself on dog nutrition and include ingredients that will benefit the dog’s health. This will also help you target the right customers.
For example, if you’re making wholesome dog food that helps to build and repair muscles, bones, and teeth, make sure you’re marketing your dog food to this target audience. Some dog food business owners specialize in organic dog treats that are delicious yet healthy and target dog owners looking to provide their canines organic or gourmet dog treats.
Tip #4: Brand your dog food business
After defining your dog food, it’s time to brand your business. Do you want people to know your brand as healthy and natural food or would you prefer that your customers know your company as one that serves nutritional food to help with health issues?
If you prefer to serve senior dogs or dogs with health problems, make sure the dog food you’re making reflects this. This way, you’ll be able to brand your business easily.
Tip #5: Relationship with suppliers
In the dog food business, it’s extremely crucial to develop good relationships with your suppliers. Find the best dog food wholesalers for your business that service your area. This way, you’ll be able to quickly order many different dog food ingredients and products at once to save you time and money.
For premium dog food products or popular frequently ordered dog food products, you can choose to buy from manufacturers.
Tip #6: Sales knowledge
Sales and marketing are important in the dog food business. The phrase, people buy people, not products, rings true. If you’re not good at sales or marketing, don’t worry. You can hire someone who is knowledgeable about the dog food you’re making and have him or her sell your products online or in the store.
When looking for a salesperson, make sure to hire someone who is courteous and friendly and can quickly answer any questions your customers have about your dog food and nutrition. After all, they represent your company so hire wisely!
Tip #7: Buying experience
Your customer’s buying experience should be fun. If you have a physical retail store, it’s a good idea to schedule monthly social events for dog owners to bring their canines. Another idea could be a bi-annual dog adoption event with several rescue groups in the area.
During these events, you can serve and present your dog food or dog snack samples to the dogs and their dog owners. If their pups love your food, the dog owners will most likely purchase it.
Tip #8: Customer loyalty is everything
After you’ve gained a good customer base, make sure you’re retaining your customers. One idea is to give one of your dog food products for free if they purchased 5 cans of your gourmet dog food. This will reward them and it’s a win-win in the long term.
If you’re introducing a new dog food product that will help many dogs or you’re offering special discounts, you can send them monthly emails to alert them. But don’t send too many emails or else they may see it as spam.
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